Why are Beauty and the Beast Packing Suitcases?

A suitcase? Why would Beauty and the Beast need a suitcase? For just over 17 years Beauty and the Beast lived at the end of Sunset Blvd in Hollywood Studios. Even with the ominous fog and continual shrieks from patrons of the neighboring ride (Tower of Terror), it’s made it’s home there. Yet, it may be time for a change of scene, a fresh start, maybe even check out a whole new world. Where could Beauty and the Beast go? Where else on Walt Disney World property would feel like home? Ahh! I know what you’re thinking, we’re thinking the same thing. France! Of course! Grab a box, you know after 17 years they’ve accumulated a lot of stuff! Just don’t forget the Cogsworth or Lumiere!

Beauty and the Beast Show at Hollywood Studios

The Roots

On November 22, 1991 Beauty and the Beast moved into Hollywood Studios and started looking for a place to call home. They found it! At the end of Sunset Blvd the set down roots in a 1,500 seat amphitheater and the rest is history. For 17 years they have entertained guests multiple times a day reliving the story of how they met. Wow! Could you image telling the “how you met” story repeatedly throughout the day, for 17 years!? Not sure if we could. Could you?

Frozen Sing-Along at Hollywood Studios

Why Would They Move?

At the recent Destination D event at Walt Disney World, Bob, Chapek not Iger, announced a brand new show for the upcoming Ratatouille expansion area in the France Pavilion at Epcot. The new show will be a sing-along with Beauty and the Beast. Ahh the beautiful vocal tones of the Beast! After the wildly successful Broadway Show and movie follow up, it is fitting that Disney World shifts Beauty and the Beast to a singalong attraction. Especially, when you look at the overall success of the Frozen Sing-Along at Hollywood Studios. Throw in the backdrop of the movie being in France and you have a home run!

I know what you’re thinking, why couldn’t they keep both attractions open? Frozen has an Epcot attraction and a sing-along show at Hollywood Studios. We’re not saying that it’s not an opinion, as Walt Disney World hasn’t announced that the Beauty and the Beast attraction at Hollywood Studios would close when the new sing-along attraction opens at Epcot. However, looking at how the sing-along attractions are structured, a recreation of the movie, it wouldn’t make sense for Disney World essentially the same attraction in two separate parks.

Concept Art for New France Expansion Area

When’s Moving Day?

We are still many months away from Walt Disney World announcing an official date for the expansion area of France. We overheard Chip and Mrs. Potts before bed and it seems like, our best guess would be springtime 2020. The new area of France is slated to be open in advance of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World and by springtime Disney will be looking for a new “hot” (pun intended) thing for the summer the crowds.

Hollywood Hills Amphitheater

Who Would Move In?

That’s the million dollar question. In our Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster article we discussed the additional phases of updates in line for Hollywood Studios. If Walt Disney World was looking to make a simple transition we could see another stage show move in, maybe Maleficent to tie into Fantasmic or another one of the upcoming live action remakes?

In the DVC Duo house we have a suspicion that any replacement show would only be a temporary. Looking long-term we could see Disney making a major change to the end of Sunset Blvd. Between the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror and the Beauty and the Beast stage, Disney has a sizable amount of property to build out a new land. What it would be is unknown, but something tells us at some point it would be Marvel related. Disney could easily transition Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to the Iron Man ride they are creating in Disneyland Paris, Tower of Terror would become the Guardians of the Galaxy ride from California Adventure, and finally Beauty and Beast would be the new stage show being built in California. It’s only a matter of time before Disney regains the rights to Marvel in Florida and the Sunset Blvd area of Hollywood Studios turns into Marvel Land…or as Nate calls it “Stark Expo”.

It’s great to see Walt Disney World keep classics like Beauty and the Beast in the parks. The new attraction fits magnificently into the France pavilion. We can’t wait to check out the new attraction. What do you think will replace the Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood Studios? Let us know below or on our Facebook Page!